AYA.
sooner than she thought, someone new had approached her without any hesitation. bella swan. she knew her, but she would pretend she didn’t. bella was associated with people she couldn’t understand, people she couldn’t read very well. aya gave up on knowing them almost immediately, but bella had somehow gained their attention. this could be interesting.
“bella – oh right! the not-so-new girl. it’s nice to formally meet you.” her voice is sweet and she gives a smile, one that’s been curated overtime to seem friendly. she reminds herself to at least appear interested despite having some sort of hesitation. could she call it a defense mechanism if she knew that people got close to her for selfish reasons? wasn’t it hypocritical that she was being defensive about it in the first place? she wouldn’t think too harshly about it. people should suspect that she’d come off as standoffish if they aren’t careful.
she would keep her mouth closed about the absence of the cullens even though it could have been a chaotic conversation starter. as much as she wanted to antagonize them for running away, she didn’t know enough information. besides it was none of her business where they went. she assumed that it had something to do with how sickly and pale they all looked. maybe they just got tired of people suspecting what they were really up to. aya wondered how close bella was, how much she knew.
but she didn’t have time to worry about it. the idea that a newly born outcast has decided to sit with her was enticing. it was an opportunity to gain some amount of normalcy. they could relate to each other, after all. both of them could not find a group comfortable enough to sit with. she felt eyes on them. everyone was curious about aya and bella. “i don’t mind a little company. it’s not like i’m busy with anything.”
she continues to smile, not shy about the eye contact she was giving her. bella had beautiful eyes. she noted it for a later art piece and tore her gaze. she wondered whether or not she’d have to convince bella too that she was normal. maybe it was best that she started off simply. aya reaches into her lunch bag and presents bella with a cup full of apple slices. “want one? i have caramel too if you’re interested. or peanut butter. i tend to over-pack my lunches in case i get hungry during classes.”
aya was nice enough, but even bella could make the assumption it was all for good impressions; she played the same games, put up functioning facades – no one would assume she had much to hide, which made it simple for her to manage it; just keeping herself in enough isolation, taking enough distance to avoid anymore attachments, but at least that didn’t take away from the genuineness of her kindness. she could be kind, and detached. but here she was, trying to reach out to something, nonetheless. maybe no one could really let themselves be lonely forever, not even bella swan.
❛ – you too, ❜ she returns, matching the girls smile with a hint of her own. she was thankful that this was fairly breezy, thankful that their interaction could be free of any whispers they’d heard about one another; she wouldn’t allow gossip to dictate her opinions, and aya.. she wouldn’t ask about the cullen’s. seemed fair.
once aya is offering up her snacks, bella can’t help but have an exasperated snicker under her breath – something coming out of irony, because it was so.. innocent. this was so innocent. and she missed having these silly human moments. despite the blood that pumped in her veins, the air that opened up her lungs, she would note everyday how she just felt a little less like a person. and she appreciates this. ❛ — sure. why not? ❜ and bella can feel a painstakingly genuine smile on her face, something that seemed so unfamiliar now. ❛ – thanks, aya, ❜ she says, taking a piece and munching. bella becomes almost eager for a conversation, now. ❛ so. just felt like sitting alone today, or just needed a change of scenery? – ❜
